"This is one of the best things we can do, to deliver services to the women, children and people who need medical care," said Grete Faremo, UNOPS Executive Director, on a visit to Wonkifong, 50 kilometres from the country's capital, Conakry.

UNOPS rehabilitated Wonkifong Health Centre in 2015, one of 41 rural health facilities UNOPS helped to equip or construct, following the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak.

Ms. Faremo was accompanied by Honore Dainhi, UNOPS Regional Director for Africa, and senior colleagues from the region. 

"This is a country that needs support and we are ready to help," said Ms. Faremo.

A senior representative from the Ministry of Health welcomed UNOPS Executive Director to the health centre, along with hundreds of community members, including local officials from Wonkifong.

For the visiting delegation, local women acted-out a brief example of traditional storytelling, highlighting the experience of expectant and new mothers not knowing where to turn for medical advice.

With the presence of the new health centre, their worries have diminished.

The centre not only provides a cleaner environment than what had stood in its place, solar energy means more reliable power generation for patients and doctors alike, while the expanded centre offers full primary care. 

During the two-day trip to Guinea, Ms. Faremo met with Delegation of the European Union and the UN Resident Coordinator. 

Meetings also included senior officials from the Government, including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Energy, International Cooperation and Planning, Public Works, and City Planning, who thanked UNOPS for its strong results in the country.

UNOPS is looking to expand its work in Guinea, moving from the Ebola recovery phase to larger-scale infrastructure projects.

Ms. Faremo is on her first official visit to the West African country.